Structure and Organization of the Department

The terms "Faculty", "members of the Faculty", and "Faculty members" used in this handbook are defined as full-time faculty of academic rank who hold tenured or tenure-track appointments in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Kent State University and who, therefore, are members of the bargaining unit as defined in the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Unless otherwise specified, voting rights on departmental matters are restricted to the Faculty.

The Department Chair (hereinafter “Chair”) is the chief administrative officer of the Department and reports directly to and is accountable to the Dean of the College (hereinafter “Dean”). The Chair is responsible for recording, maintaining, and implementing the policies and procedures stated in this Handbook through regular and thorough consultation with the Department faculty and the Department’s various committees as provided in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Chair is also responsible for advancing Departmental initiatives and for representing the interests and needs of the Faculty to the University administration.

The Chair is an ex officio, non-voting member of all Department committees, and may make appointments as necessary and permitted to Department committees and to the various administrative and service positions in the Department.

The selection, review, and reappointment of the Chair is the responsibility of the Dean, who consults with the Department faculty on such matters. Procedures for the selection, review and reappointment of the Chair are included in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The Assistant Chair is appointed by the Chair after consultation with the Faculty Advisory Committee (hereinafter “FAC”). The term of service is two (2) academic years; reappointment to subsequent terms may be made following a satisfactory biennial performance review conducted by the Chair. The appointment may be terminated at any time by the Chair, in his/her sole discretion. The duties and responsibilities of the Assistant Chair are determined by the Chair in consultation with the FAC. The duties are described in the departmental Operating Procedures document and referenced in the description of workload equivalents (see Section II.A Faculty Workload and Workload Equivalents) contained in this handbook.

The Coordinator of Graduate Studies is appointed by the Chair after consultation with the FAC. The appointment is for two (2) academic years; reappointment to subsequent terms may be made following a satisfactory biennial performance review conducted by the Chair. The appointment may be terminated at any time by the Chair, in his/her sole discretion. The Coordinator of Graduate Studies must be a full member of the Graduate Faculty holding the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. The Coordinator of Graduate Studies chairs the GSC and oversees the operation and development of the Department's graduate programs. The Coordinator of Graduate Studies serves as the Department liaison to the Graduate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and other graduate bodies. The duties of the Coordinator of Graduate Studies are described in the departmental Operating Procedures document and referenced in the description of workload equivalents (see Section II.A Faculty Workload and Workload Equivalents) contained in this handbook.

The Undergraduate Curriculum Coordinator is appointed by the Chair after consultation with the FAC. The appointment is for two (2) academic years; reappointment to subsequent terms may be made following a satisfactory biennial performance review conducted by the Chair. The appointment may be terminated at any time by the Chair, in his/her sole discretion. The Undergraduate Curriculum Coordinator must hold the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. The Undergraduate Curriculum Coordinator chairs the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (hereinafter “UGCC”) and oversees the development of the Department's undergraduate programs. The Undergraduate Curriculum Coordinator serves as the Department liaison to the College of Arts and Sciences and serves as the Department’s representative to the College Curriculum Committee. The duties of the Undergraduate Curriculum Coordinator are described in the departmental Operating Procedures document and referenced in the description of workload equivalents (see Section II.A Faculty Workload and Workload Equivalents) contained in this handbook.

Continuing appointments to other departmental administrative positions are made by the Chair after consultation with the FAC. Continuing appointments will be dependent upon the specific requirements of the position and an individual’s qualifications for the position. Duties and terms of office shall be specified by the Chair and FAC in a departmental Operating Procedures document. If a workload equivalent is to be associated with the appointment, the position must also be referenced in the description of workload equivalents (see Section II.A Faculty Workload and Workload Equivalents) contained in this Handbook.

The Department's non-academic staff includes all classified and unclassified staff positions within the Department including, but not limited to the Business Manager, Laboratory Manager, Administrative Assistant, and other technical and secretarial staff. Each position has specific duties as defined in the departmental Operating Procedures document and/or the applicable position description.

Faculty meetings are announced in advance by the Department Chair to Kent and Regional Campus Faculty. Any member can request the Chair to call a meeting; the Chair shall be compelled to call a Faculty meeting if 5 or more Faculty petition for a meeting. There shall be at least one Faculty meeting each semester. A written agenda is distributed at least one (1) day before the meeting. A quorum shall be constituted when Regional and Kent Campus Faculty attendance exceeds 50% of the current number of eligible voting Kent Campus faculty. Faculty and committee meetings are advisory and recommendatory to the Department Chair.

The membership, structure, and function of some of the Department's committees are governed by University, Administrative and Operational Policies and the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Chair may establish other departmental standing and ad hoc committees in consultation with the FAC. The Chair will welcome requests from faculty members for positions on the Department’s various committees. The Chair, when making appointments to Department committees, will be mindful of the diversity of disciplines within the Department and will consider the expertise and interests necessary for the effective functioning of specific committees. If necessary to accomplish the Department’s business, committee memberships and individual service assignments may be reassigned during the year by the Department Chair in consultation with the FAC.

The TT CBA provides that the Faculty of the Department ensure that Regional Campus Faculty are appropriately represented on key Department and College committees, including but not limited to the FAC, the CAC, the RTP Committee, Chair Review Committees, and committees considering curriculum, department or college policy, instructional standards, and program development.

The Department Chair or Committee Chair may at any time invite additional faculty, graduate students, or undergraduate students to participate in committee deliberations (excepting the RTP and Chair Review Committees, where no additional participation beyond that specified in this Handbook shall be solicited). Invited participants shall not be eligible to vote on any committee resolutions following deliberations.

The FAC is structured and operates as described in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement. The FAC is elected directly by the full-time Faculty of the Department as defined in section I B, “Definition of the Faculty,” above.

The TT CBA provides that the tenured and tenure-track faculty of the Department may decide whether and to what extent full-time non-tenure (NTT) track faculty shall be represented on the FAC. NTT faculty shall not be elected to the FAC of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

FAC terms are for one (1) year. Elections are conducted in the Spring Semester and the FAC members assume office on July 1. The FAC shall consist of seven tenured and tenure-track Faculty members (five Kent Campus members with at least one member at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor and at least one member at the rank of Full Professor, and representatives from two Regional Campuses) plus the Department Chair (nonvoting). The FAC must include Faculty members from a minimum of three different academic divisions.

Kent Campus representatives are elected by Kent Campus Faculty in two rounds of voting. In the initial round, Faculty members vote for up to ten candidates. The ten Faculty receiving the most votes constitute the slate of candidates for the second round of voting. If this slate of candidates does not include a Faculty member at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, the Assistant or Associate Professor receiving the most votes shall replace the tenth-ranked candidate. A similar procedure shall apply to ensure representation by a faculty member at the rank of Full Professor and representation from a minimum of three divisions. In the second round, Faculty members vote for up to five candidates. The Kent Campus FAC members will consist of the five candidates receiving the most votes. If this list does not include a faculty member at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, the Assistant or Associate Professor receiving the most votes shall replace the fifth ranked candidate. A similar procedure shall apply to ensure representation by a Faculty member at the rank of Full Professor and representation from a minimum of three divisions. Regional Campus representatives are elected by simple majority vote of the Regional Campus faculty. The Regional Campus FAC members will consist of the two candidates – from different campuses – receiving the most votes. Ties are resolved by a random drawing overseen by two staff members. A Faculty member shall not be eligible for reelection to the FAC for any academic year following three consecutive years of FAC service.

The FAC is convened and chaired at least once per semester by the Chair who, in consultation with the FAC, sets the agenda for its meetings. FAC members may request that items be added to the agenda; the Graduate Student Organization may also request that new business be placed on the FAC’s agenda. Additional meetings of the FAC may be called by the Chair, as needed, or upon a request by at least one-half of the members of the FAC. The FAC elects one (1) member to act as the Department representative to the College Advisory Committee (hereinafter “CAC”).

The GSC is composed of one (1) Faculty member appointed from each academic division (Analytical, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Organic, and Physical) by the Department Chair in consultation with the Coordinator of Graduate Studies (CGS) and considering the recommendations made by the divisions. The Department Chair appoints one additional, at-large GSC member with advice from the FAC. One voting graduate student representative is appointed by the Graduate Student Organization. The Coordinator of Graduate Studies may request the recusal of the graduate student representative at any time.

The GSC assists the Coordinator of Graduate Studies, who serves as the GSC chair, with the oversight and development of the Department’s graduate program. The GSC reviews proposals for new graduate courses, changes in course content and related curricular matters, and conducts periodic reviews of the Department’s graduate program as a whole. The GSC serves as the Curriculum Committee for graduate curriculum. The GSC is responsible for evaluating applications for admission, evaluating and recommending candidates for graduate appointments, and monitoring the progress and academic performance of graduate students in the Department. The GSC also serves as the graduate student academic complaint committee; the committee follows the policies and procedures governed by University Policy 3342-4-02.3 when considering graduate-student academic complaints.

In the event that a member of the GSC is the subject of or may otherwise be involved with a student complaint, the Department Chair, in consultation with the FAC, will select a replacement from the full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty. If the Coordinator of Graduate Studies is the subject of or may otherwise be involved with a student complaint, the Department Chair will appoint a member of the GSC to chair the committee and will appoint an additional member to the committee from the full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty.

The UGCC is composed of a representative nominated and/or appointed by the Chair from each academic division (Analytical, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Organic, and Physical, and the Regional Campus Committee), and the Assistant Chair. The UGCC shall be chaired by the Undergraduate Curriculum Coordinator. The UGCC assists the Undergraduate Curriculum Coordinator supervise and coordinate the Department’s undergraduate curricular programs. The UGCC makes recommendations on any and all matters which affect the undergraduate academic programs of the Department including, but not limited to, faculty proposals for new courses, changes in course content, major requirements, and other curricular matters. The UGCC reviews and decides student appeals regarding course substitution.

The UGACC is composed of three (3) Faculty representatives, the Assistant Chair, and one undergraduate student member. The student member is chosen by the Chair, in consultation with the FAC. The Chair of the UGACC is elected by the UGACC at the beginning of each academic year. The policies and procedures of this committee are governed by University Policy 3342-4-02.3.

In the event that a member of the Student Academic Complaint Committee is the subject of or may otherwise be involved with a student complaint, the Department Chair, in consultation with the FAC, will select a replacement from the full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty. If the Chair of the UGACC is the subject of or may otherwise be involved with a student complaint, the Department Chair will appoint a member of the Student Academic Complaint Committee to chair the committee and will appoint an additional member to the committee from the full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty.

The Divisional Committees have initial responsibility for recommending suitable faculty to teach upper division and graduate courses in their respective specialties as well as to prepare and administer graduate candidacy exams. The Divisional Committees are expected to be the source of all curriculum proposals. The membership of each Divisional Committee is determined by personal choice of each tenured and tenure-track Kent Campus Faculty member upon joining the Department. Subsequent requests to change division membership must be approved by the Department Chair. Each tenured and tenure-track Kent Campus Faculty member shall be a voting member of one and only one Divisional Committee, except as noted below; regional campus Faculty are not members of Divisional Committees. The Department Chair (without vote), Assistant Chair (with vote), and Coordinator of Graduate Studies (with vote) may serve as members of divisions, but may not serve as Divisional Committee Chair. Each Divisional Committee shall have a minimum membership of three Faculty. If membership in any committee falls short of the minimum, the Department Chair, in consultation with the FAC, shall appoint to that committee a Faculty member who is already a member of another Divisional Committee. This person will be a voting member of both Division Committees. The Chair of each divisional committee shall be elected annually by the members of the Divisional Committee.

The Regional Campus Committee consists of all Regional Campus full-time Faculty and is chaired by the Assistant Chair. The committee shall normally be convened at least once per academic year for the purpose of discussing matters of specific interest to the regional-campus Faculty members. These issues may include, but are not limited to, evaluation and delivery of courses offered at regional campuses; issues concerning reappointment, tenure, and promotion; review of non-tenure track faculty at regional campuses; program development; selection of regional-campus FAC representatives; issues related to teaching assignments and class schedules, including appropriate application of workload equivalencies; Faculty professional improvement, research, and other leaves; issues related to the advising and retention of students and insuring that instructional standards are followed. The committee chair may invite other department members to RCC meetings as appropriate to the matters being discussed.

The Ad Hoc Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotions Committee is composed of all full professors in the Department plus tenured members of the FAC. In the event that a Regional Campus member of the FAC is not tenured, a tenured Regional Campus representative, appointed by the Chair, will sit on the Promotions Committee in his/her stead. The policies and procedures which govern the Department’s Ad Hoc Reappointment, Tenure and Promotion (RTP) Committee are included in University Policy 3342-6. Procedural and operational guidelines for this committee are provided annually by the Office of the Provost. This committee reviews materials relevant to the professional performance of faculty who are candidates for reappointment, tenure, or promotion in rank, and makes recommendations to the Chair on each of these personnel decisions. It is the responsibility of this committee to provide a detailed review of the quality of each candidate’s scholarship, teaching, and service. The recommendations of this committee and of the Chair, together with the materials assembled for the committees, are forwarded to the Dean of the College.

The Chair may establish, charge, and appoint the membership of other departmental committees (such as the Departmental Safety Committee) as required by the Department. In establishing departmental committees, naming members, and designating a committee chair, the Chair shall consult with the FAC. The Chair will welcome requests and preferences from the faculty before establishing and making appointments to departmental ad hoc and standing committees. The membership and duties of these committees may be found in the departmental Operating Procedures document.

Duties are assigned by the Coordinator of Graduate Studies and Assistant Chair in consultation with the involved Faculty. Faculty-graduate assistant conferences are scheduled at the beginning of each semester, at which time the faculty member in charge of the course carefully defines the responsibilities of the assistants. Appointments of Graduate Assistants are initiated by the Graduate Committee. Grant-supported Research Assistantship appointments are initiated by the research advisor. All such appointments must be authorized by the Coordinator of Graduate Studies and the Department Chair. In the case of Research Assistantships, the Department Chair will certify that funds are available from the project director and that any future support by the Department has been planned in consultation with the Coordinator of Graduate Studies.